Fremantle’s historic Cantonment Hill is set to be transformed into an outstanding community space, as stage one landscaping works begin this week on the landmark City of Fremantle project.

Following extensive consultation with Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Whadjuk traditional owners and local community groups, stage one landscaping works will now begin to significantly upgrade Tuckfield Oval.

Works will comprise landscaping with water wise native plants, improvements to pedestrian access and the introduction of community amenities including barbecues, picnic and seating areas, a nature-based play space, lighting and parking.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the activation of the Cantonment Hill site was a project of state significance with the potential to become a much-loved community asset and tourist attraction.

“It’s great to see this project progressing after years of collaboration and planning and I look forward to watching this historic site transformed into an accessible and attractive recreation space for locals and visitors to Fremantle,” he said.

“The site has enormous historical significance from both an Aboriginal and early European perspective so being able to share the stories of this site with all Western Australians is a key component of the project.

“It’s been a real community effort to get to this point and I’d like to specially thank the Friends of Cantonment Hill community group and the Whadjuk traditional owners for their passion and support for this project.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support of Lotterywest via their $2.2m ’Community Spaces’ Lotterywest grant received in 2016.”

Stage one landscaping works are expected to conclude in September 2017.

Background - Cantonment Hill Project

A culturally significant site with impressive views of central Fremantle, the previously under-utilised Cantonment Hill was transferred from the Department of Defence to the City of Fremantle in 2010. The aim was to transform the site into something the broader community could access and benefit from.

The Cantonment Hill site consists of native vegetation land and two state listed heritage buildings known as the Naval Store and Signal Station.

The project includes the conservation, enhancement and activation of the local heritage listed parklands on Tuckfield Oval, Cantonment Hill reserve and Signal Station reserve and the restoration and activation of the Naval Store and Signal Station buildings.

Timeline

City of Fremantle took ownership of the site from Department of Defence in July 2010 with the aim of developing the site for community purposes.

In 2012 a masterplan for the site was adopted by council, with detailed concept plans developed in 2015 for the architecture, landscaping and interpretative aspects of the project.

The Signal Station restoration was completed in March 2016 and is now occupied by the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue.

In February 2016, the City of Fremantle secured a $2.2m Lotterywest grant to complete stage one landscaping works.

The contract for these works was awarded to MG Group as part of a competitive tender process in December 2016.

Development application lodged for adaptive reuse of the Naval Store by community group Enkel in January 2017, which is currently under review.